8 Tummy-Flattening Foods to Eat This Summer

If your first thought is excitement that it's finally nice enough to hit the beach, and your second is panic that you have to don a swimsuit, we're with you. Make the process a little less painful with these bloat-beating, belly-fat-melting foods.

Nosh on a cucumber salad

Nosh on a cucumber salad

The next time you feel puffy, add natural diuretics—foods that help nix water retention—to your shopping list. For a triple-dose that will help you shed extra water-weight, toss half of a sliced cucumber with one-quarter cup parsley and one tablespoon lemon juice, suggests Molly Morgan, RD, author of The Skinny Rules: 101 Secrets Every Skinny Girl Knows.

Go for a fruity treat

Go for a fruity treat

Dehydration, which plugs up your digestive tract, can actually poof out your belly, says Morgan. Constipation and bikinis don't mix, so avoid getting parched by noshing on fruits—they're natural hydrators since they're at least 60 percent water. Melons and papaya are especially good because they also contain potassium, which helps regulate your body's balance of fluids and minerals and fights salt-induced water retention. Cut a cantaloupe in half, scoop out the seeds, and fill with sliced papaya for a thirst-quenching snack.